Photo Gallery: UF Swimming & Diving, 1/31/09

Both Florida swimming and diving programs sent their seniors out in winning fashion Saturday afternoon from the Stephen C. O’Connell Center. The No. 5 Gator women flew by both Indian River State College (87-20) and Florida Gulf Coast University (84-28), while the No. 8 men topped Indian River, 128-83, in the Orange and Blue’s last home dual meet of the 2008-09 season.Both Florida swimming and diving programs sent their seniors out in winning fashion Saturday afternoon from the Stephen C. O’Connell Center. The No. 5 Gator women flew by both Indian River State College (87-20) and Florida Gulf Coast University (84-28), while the No. 8 men topped Indian River, 128-83, in the Orange and Blue’s last home dual meet of the 2008-09 season.

Additionally, Florida Gulf Coast defeated Indian River, 90.5-20.5, as part of the triangular women’s match-up.

The Gators won every meet of the 26-event meet format. Highlighting the day for the seniors, Jos Smith claimed the 200-yard free in 1:38.86, while Kelsy Smith stole the spotlight in the women’s 50-yard free, clocking in at 24.03.

Woodward took the top spot in the women’s 200-yard fly (2:03.35), while Tullius won the men’s 100-yard free in 45.40.

Several underclassmen stepped it up for Florida to honor its seniors, including Anna-Liisa Pold, who captured both the 400-yard IM (4:11.89) and 200-yard back (1:55.77) events in NCAA provisional time in both. Sophomore Brett Fraser placed first in the 200-yard back (1:49.54), while freshman newcomer Jemma Lowe, who earned an automatic bid to the NCAA meet in the 200 fly against Tennessee, took the top spot in the 500-yard free (4:54.35).

Freshman Robby Kennedy won the men’s 200-yard breast (2:02.97), just out-touching teammate Mike Joyce by a hundredth of a second (2:02.98), and freshman Jose Crescimbeni notched the victory in the men’s 200-yard fly (1:46.65).

Kara Salamone secured wins on both the one and three-meter boards with scores of 317.25 and 315.80, respectively, while Stern took second in both the one and three-meter competitions. Bartell placed fourth on the three-meter board, fifth in the one-meter competition and senior counterpart Sowers took sixth and seventh on the one and three-meter boards, respectively.

In men’s diving action, freshman Anthony Lewark rallied for the victory on both springboards, while Leech finished second on the three-meter board (329.20) and fourth in the one-meter competition (305.65).

The Gators will remain idle until they head to the SEC Championship meet Feb. 18-21 in Auburn, Ala.

Florida's Grayson Patton competes in the 3 meter diving competition during the Gators' final home swimming and diving meet of the season on Saturday, January 31, 2009 at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center in Gainesville, Fla.